Non-volatile mems micro-relays using magnetic actuators

(19)

(11)

EP 1 093 141 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	09.04.2003 Bulletin 2003/15

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	18.04.2001 Bulletin 2001/16

(21)	Application number: 00308867.1

(22)	Date of filing: 09.10.2000

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁷: H01H 50/00

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
	Designated Extension States:
	AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30)

Priority:

15.10.1999 US 418874

(71)	Applicant: LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES INC.
	Murray Hill, New Jersey 07974-0636 (US)

(72)	Inventors:
	Bishop, David John Summit, New Jersey 07901 (US) Jin, Sungho Millington, New Jersey 07946 (US) Kim, Jungsang Basking Ridge, New Jersey 07920 (US) Ramirez, Ainissa G. Chatham, New Jersey 07928 (US)

(74)	Representative: Buckley, Christopher Simon Thirsk et al
	Lucent Technologies (UK) Ltd, 5 Mornington Road Woodford Green, Essex IG8 0TU Woodford Green, Essex IG8 0TU (GB)

(54)	Non-volatile mems micro-relays using magnetic actuators

(57) An actuation device employing square-loop latchable magnetic material (14, 16) having a magnetization direction (polarization) capable of being changed in response to exposure to an external magnetic field is disclosed. The magnetic field is created by a conductor assembly with non-solenoid configuration. Once the magnetization direction of the material is so changed, the external magnetic field is no longer required to maintain the new magnetization direction. The latchable magnetic material (14) is disposed on the mobile electrode (20) of a switching device, and another magnetic material (16) is disposed in spaced relation to the latchable magnetic material on a stationary electrode or surface (28). By applying an electrical current to a conductor assembly arranged proximate the latchable material, a magnetic field is created about the latchable magnetic material, to change the magnetization direction and thereby enable the attraction or repulsion of another magnetic material located on the stationary electrode. The resulting relative displacement of the mobile (20) and stationary (18) electrodes effects the selective connection or disconnection of electrical contacts carried on or associated with the respective electrodes of the actuation device without requiring additional power in order to maintain the switched state of the electrodes.

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